I'll do what Lew couldn't: Perez thinks he can win championship in his first season

Sergio Perez is determined to do what both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could not – win the drivers’ championship in his first season with McLaren.

Perez has taken on the considerable challenge of filling the shoes of Hamilton following the latter’s decision to leave McLaren for Mercedes.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Mexican also faces the formidable task of beating the vastly more experienced Button.

Aiming high: Sergio Perez (left) believes he can win the title next year

But despite having just two years’ of Formula One under his belt with Sauber, Perez is adamant he will be fighting for the title in his first season with his new team.

‘My target is to win the championship already next year,’ Perez said. ‘That takes a lot of work during the season, so it's very important to start my preparation really well with them and try to reach their targets.’

Perez acknowledges that such a heavy workload is part and parcel of driving for a top three team and is convinced the switch to McLaren will make him a realistic world championship contender.

New team: Hamilton will join Nico Rosberg at Mercedes next year

Asked if he could outdo the achievements of Hamilton and Button, Perez replied: ‘Definitely, because you are going to the best team and the best team normally wins.

'This year, they had many reliability issues and if they solve that they will be ready to fight for the title.'

He added: ‘I think what I am saying is realistic because the team is capable of putting out a very strong car. The targets have to be high. McLaren wants to win every single race.

Long time: McLaren haven't won a championship since Hamilton's victory in 2008

‘As a driver you are looking for every challenge and I think it's a very good challenge. It's the best team in F1, the best team in the world so definitely a very big challenge.

‘I must be very competitive from the first race. So I'm really looking forward to being in Melbourne. I'm sure that we will be fighting for the championship next year.’